Overview
MARKING THE IA HL
The HL business management research project is assessed against nine criteria that are related to the assessment objectives for the business management course. Criterion A refers to the research proposal, while criteria B-I are used to assess the written report.
There are nine assessment criteria for the research project. (A full breakdown of each criterion can be found at the end of this document)
Criterion A: Research proposal
Criterion B: Sources and data
Criterion C: Use of tools, techniques and theories
Criterion D: Analysis and evaluation
Criterion E: Conclusions
Criterion F: Recommendations
Criterion G: Structure
Criterion H: Presentation
Criterion I: Reflective thinking
The analysis section of the IB Business Management Internal Assessment is the single most important section of the IA to get right. What you do here will largely determine the marks you are awarded across THREE interrelated sections of the IA: Criterion B, C and E.
Criterion A: Research proposal - 3 marks
This criterion focuses on the topic, the research question and the methodology. It assesses the explanation of the focus of the research (this includes the topic and the research question), how the research will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the essay.
Please note: Criterion A should be used to assess the research proposal only.
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student presents a research proposal that gives an effective direction for the project, with all the required elements.
The work does not reach a standard outlined by the descriptors.
The research proposal is presented but is generally inappropriate, or two or more elements are missing.
The research proposal is generally appropriate but some elements lack clarity, detail and focus, or one element is missing.
The research proposal with all the required elements is appropriate, detailed, clear and focused.
Criterion B: Sources and data - 3 marks
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student selects primary sources and collects data which address an issue or a decision to be made by an organisation or a range of organisations in appropriate depth and breadth.
AMENDED GUIDANCE 2020: Primary and supporting secondary sources.
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Students must ensure that their research adequately addresses the demands of all the assessment criteria, including the requirement to demonstrate the appropriate, varied and sufficient selection and collection of sources and data. As amended, this requirement may now include supporting secondary sources and data as well as primary. However, there must be some significant primary data collected related to the organisation being investigated. Only collecting primary data from customers or other stakeholders, without contacting the organization itself, is inappropriate. Selected and collected data must continue to contribute to the analysis and evaluation, conclusions, recommendations and reflection as required for this task. |
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
Some of the primary sources selected or the data collected are appropriate.
The primary sources selected and the data collected are appropriate, but are not varied and sufficient.
The primary sources selected and the data collected are appropriate, varied and sufficient.
Criterion C: Use of tools, techniques and theories- 3 marks
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student understands and applies relevant business management tools, techniques and theories so that a greater insight into the situation of the organisation ensues.
| You should use footnotes not in-text as this saves on word count. You must substantiate the tools that you are using ie. How does this help answer the RQ. Here you should be including you procedure for gathering info, the results of you sources ie. the information which you will then analyse in the next section and findings. |
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
There is a limited understanding of business management tools, techniques and theories, and these are not applied or are superficially applied.
There is a satisfactory understanding of relevant business management tools, techniques and theories, and these are suitably applied.
There is a good understanding of relevant business management tools, techniques and theories, and these are skillfully applied.
Criterion D: Analysis and Evaluation - 6 marks
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student uses his or her results and findings effectively in order to explain the issue or decision to be made and is able to integrate his or her ideas coherently. This criterion also assesses the extent to which the student evaluates his or her arguments and makes judgments that are well substantiated.
Aim to answer your research question by applying a range of analytic tools
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In this criterion you should be aiming to demonstrate four things:
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The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
The results and findings are limited, and no analysis of them is provided.
The results and findings are limited, and a superficial analysis of them is provided.
There is a satisfactory analysis of the results and findings and some integration of ideas.
There is a satisfactory analysis of the results and findings, a satisfactory integration of ideas and some evidence of evaluation.
There is a good analysis of the results and findings, a good integration of ideas and evidence of substantiated evaluation.
There is a skillful analysis of the results and findings, a coherent integration of ideas and consistent evidence of substantiated evaluation.
Criterion E: Conclusions (written report) - 2 marks
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student is able to draw relevant conclusions based on the analysis of the report.
- There cannot be any new information presented in this section!
- Your conclusions must be substantiated
- You must mention areas for further study
- Try answering the question ‘what could have I done better if I had had more time, resources, skills and access
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
There are some conclusions, but they are unsubstantiated and/or inconsistent with the evidence presented in the main body of the report.
Conclusions are substantiated and consistent with the evidence presented in the main body of the report. Areas for further study have been identified, if appropriate.
Criterion F: Recommendations (written report) - 2 marks
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
There are recommendations, but they are unsubstantiated and/or inconsistent with the conclusions, or they do not answer the research question.
The recommendations are substantiated and consistent with the conclusions, and they answer the research question.
Criterion G: Structure (written report) - 2 marks
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student organizes his or her ideas into a structured report with an argument that is easy to follow.
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
Limited structure.
Appropriate structure.
Criterion H: Presentation (written report) - 2 marks
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student presents all the required components of the written report in the correct order and format.
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
The report is missing one or more of the required components, or the components are not in the correct order or format.
The report includes all of the required components in the correct order and format.
Criterion I: Reflective thinking (written report) - 2 marks
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student is able to reflect critically on their own work.
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
The report includes limited or superficial reflective thinking on the approach taken in this piece of research and its limitations.
The report includes appropriate evidence of reflective thinking on the approach taken in this piece of research and its limitations.